08/18/2026
Information on the rebuilding of the Church In Gweedore
Teach Pobail Mhuire, Doirí Beaga
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
I am pleased to share with you a positive update on the ongoing work concerning the design and rebuilding of Teach Pobail Mhuire, Doirí Beaga.
Bishop Niall Coll visited the parish on Thursday, spending the afternoon and a good part of the evening with us. During his visit, he met with the Parish Priest and visited the site of Teach Pobail Mhuire, Doirí Beaga, where he paused in prayer, remembering the people of Gaoth Dobhair who are very much in his thoughts and prayers at this important time, both those at home and those living further afield.
Bishop Niall also attended a scheduled meeting of Meitheal Mhuire at Ionad Naomh Pádraig. Before meeting with architect Karl Pedersen and quantity surveyor Eugene Coyle, Bishop Niall spent time with the members of Meitheal Mhuire, hearing from them about the work undertaken to date and the progress of the project. He thanked the members for their professionalism, commitment and the considerable work they continue to undertake on behalf of the whole community.
Karl and Eugene then joined the meeting, where Karl presented the latest design draft for the new church. This was followed by a detailed discussion on the design, associated costs and the next stages of the project, to which Bishop Niall contributed his own observations and guidance.
As this important work progresses, Meitheal Mhuire remains very conscious of the overall cost of the project. We are extremely grateful for the very positive outcome of our insurance claim with Allianz, which provides a strong foundation upon which to move forward. At the same time, the extensive community consultation undertaken following the fire produced many excellent suggestions and aspirations for our new parish church. Naturally, incorporating some of these would involve additional costs and funding, and careful consideration is therefore being given to what can reasonably and responsibly be included in the final design. Our challenge is to achieve the right design for the needs of our parish community, while ensuring that the overall project remains financially responsible and achievable.
Bishop Niall, the priests of the parish and the members of Meitheal Mhuire, are greatly encouraged by the design work undertaken to date. Work will now continue on refining the design and examining the associated costs. Once this work has reached the appropriate stage, the proposed design will be formally presented to Bishop Niall and the Diocesan Building Team for their consideration and approval. Following this, we hope to be in a position to present the design, drawings and model of the new Teach Pobail Mhuire to the community in the coming weeks, before proceeding to the planning permission stage.
We are very grateful to Bishop Niall for the time he spent with us and for his continued support and guidance. We are also deeply grateful to everyone who continues to contribute to this important work as, together, we take these careful and considered steps towards building our new Teach Pobail Mhuire.
Under the mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we entrust this sacred work and the journey that lies ahead to her maternal care, protection and intercession.
I síth agus i muintearas Íosa,
An tAth. Brian Ó Fearraigh S.P.
